Kenya awaits formal communication after UN restructures Haiti mission

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja now says his office has not received formal directives regarding the changes by the United Nations Security Council to replace Kenya in leading the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

On Tuesday, September 30, the UN council, having reviewed Kenya's stewardship in the mission, voted to replace Kenya, which has been leading the exercise to combat gangs and restore order in the violent, torn Caribbean nation since June last year.

Speaking at the Embakasi APTC college on Wednesday, Kanja said they are waiting for communication from the relevant authorities regarding the fate of more than 800 Kenyan officers serving in Haiti.

“Sisi tunangoja mpaka tupate that information…kutoka hapo tutaona mwelekeo nig ani. Kumbuka mwelekeo kama hizo hupeanwa na National Security Council…kwa hivo tungoje, tutapata mwongozo,” said the IG.

The UN Security Council backed a resolution, co-authored by the US and Panama, to transition the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) for Haiti into the Gang Suppression Force (GFS).

US Ambassador Michael Waltz said the new GSF mission offers new hope for the country's future as “a key first step” to address the humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti.

Alongside the US and Panama, a dozen other countries within the Caribbean region and other member states also backed the resolution as China, Pakistan, and Russia abstained. 

The GFS will run under an initial 12-month mandate, while working in close collaboration with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian Armed Forces (HAF) to conduct operations to neutralize gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access. 

It is expected that the GFS will consist of a 5,550-strong force, which will protect vulnerable groups, support the reintegration of former fighters into communities and help strengthen Haitian institutions.

Kenya, which led the MSS mission approved in 2023, has welcomed the transition to GFS. 

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei on Wednesday endorsed the mission for it has a robust mandate including conducting intelligence-led counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs.

Questions now remain on whether Kenya will transition to the new GFS. Will Kenyan troops make part of the 5550 members of GFS, or will the country be required to add more?

According to Singo'ei, "this is a policy decision to be made in due course and will be communicated."